Ohio State football alters 2015 nonconference games including a Labor Day game at Va. Tech

COLUMBUS — Ohio State announced a series of changes to its 2015 football schedule.

As expected, the Buckeyes will open the season on a Monday night at Virginia Tech. Originally scheduled for Sept. 26, the Labor Day showdown will be televised by ESPN.

OSU also added home games against Hawaii (Sept. 12) and Western Michigan (Sept. 26) and shifted a previously scheduled visit from Northern Illinois (Sept. 19).

The Big Ten will move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016. With an impending four-team playoff expected to factor in strength of schedule, athletic director Gene Smith has said OSU hopes to play all three of its nonconference games against opponents from the six power conferences by 2018.